Fall in Love with the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or Toller, is a gorgeous, active dog that’s almost too photogenic for words. Have you had a chance to meet this up-and-coming rare breed from Canada? Prepare to fall head over heels for this bright, loyal dog.

Meet the duck tolling retriever

Added to the AKC in 2003, these sporting dogs are gaining in popularity around the world with active families who want a companion who can hunt, hike, or perform in high-energy canine sports like dock diving or agility. On the other hand, a duck tolling retriever without a job is going to make your life pretty hectic finding his own “jobs” to do. So, if you’re looking for a Netflix binge buddy, breed enthusiasts recommend adopting a senior dog or looking elsewhere.

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Averaging just under 40lbs, this medium-size dog comes exclusively in shades of red and orange, from a soft, golden retriever-esque creamsicle to a rich, Irish setter mahogany, with splashes of white on face and feet. A fluffy double coat keeps the Toller dry when swimming, warm in the winter, and will leave little orange fluff clouds of love around your house year-round.

So what the heck is tolling?

“Tolling” is the art of luring ducks to shore for the huntsman to shoot. According to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of America, “tolling” is from the Middle English “Tollen,” which means to entice or pull. For example: “The tolling of the bells drew the villagers to the town square.” This article in Modern Dog sheds more light on the art of tolling.

Where do ‘Tollers’ come from?

When establishing the breed in the early 1800s, hunters in Nova Scotia were inspired by red foxes, who are known for luring waterfowl to shore. They used a number of breeds to found the duck tolling retriever, including hunting spaniels and setters, the St John’s water dog (ancestor of both the Newfoundland and Labrador retriever), and the Dutch Kooikerhondje, a rare hunting breed.

Now that you’ve done your homework, let’s take a look at some of these gorgeous dogs. These photos and videos highlight some of the greatest Toller traits.